Deputy FM announces £2m boost for Cnoc Soilleir

Monday 27th March was a big day in Scottish politics; the last in office for outgoing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Deputy First Minister John Swinney, and the first for new FM Humza Yousaf.

From a Uist perspective, the news headlines didn’t come from Holyrood, but from a bright, sunny Daliburgh, where Mr Swinney used his last day in post to announce an additional £2m of funding to allow the construction of the 200 seat auditorium needed to complete the Cnoc Soilleir project.
Mr Swinney was at Cnoc Soilleir to Chair a meeting of the Convention of the Highlands & Islands, a forum he has led since its inception in 2007.

Leaders from the Local Authorities and strategic bodies forming the COHI cohort were in attendance, along with Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth, who was there to answer for the Government on the troubling issue of island ferry services.

Introducing the meeting, Mr Swinney set out his long association with the Cnoc Soilleir project:

“I first came to visit this site in 2017 when Màiri MacInnes, Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, lured me to the edge of a field, where all I could see was some rough ground and some fencing. She told me of her vision for a centre that would be a focal point for the appreciation of Gaelic language, culture and craft and how the only thing standing between the development of this rough ground and that vision was Scottish Government funding. I’m pleased to say we were able to work with colleagues from HIE, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Scottish Government to get to the point of establishing this wonderful building.

“When I came to open this building last year, Màiri used the opportunity to explain the significance of this wall behind me; the significance of this wall being that she doesn’t want it to be there for much longer! Phase 2 of the project will see this wall make way for the new auditorium. I’m delighted that the Government is able today to announce a capital contribution of £2m to support this next phase of work.”

Summing up his introduction, Mr Swinney said: “I can’t think of a finer way to end my ministerial career than here on such a fine day in South Uist.”

Comhairle Leader Paul Steele said the Deputy First Minister had been the strongest possible supporter of the Convention since taking office in 2007 and had never missed a meeting in those years. Mr Steele thanked Mr Swinney for the purposeful and intelligent way he had chaired the meeting and for his wider commitment to the Highlands and Islands, presenting him with a gift to remember his experiences here in Uist.

Cllr Steele concluded by saying: “This is a time of deep financial uncertainty and we are dealing with financial challenges on a scale not known in the living memory of most members.”

The day’s agenda covered the importance of providing suitable and affordable housing, of halting population decline and of supporting the Gaelic language and culture.

The Government’s plans on Highly Protected Marine Areas were raised, with elected members sharing concerns at the impact proposed restrictions would have on local marine based businesses.

The continuing issues with our islands’ ferry service was also on the agenda, with Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth in attendance to hear the heartfelt contributions from delegates. It was recognised that the £580m investment Scottish Government had made in supporting the service with new ferries was welcome, but that the urgent and pressing requirement of an interim fix remained a priority.

Ms Gilruth said she had done everything she could to secure interim vessels to tide the service through, but that securing ‘additional tonnage’ that would work in a Scottish island context was not straightforward. In recent weeks the announcment of a £9m, nine-month charter of MV Alfred had offered some hope of service resilience over the summer.

Ms Gilruth was widely praised for her personal commitment to the issue, with a number of delegates agreeing that she has made more effort to meet with and hear from stakeholders than any of her predecessors.

Following the meeting, Màiri Maciness commented on the £2m of additional funding for Cnoc Soilleir, saying: “This announcement of £2m is gratefully received. It will open doors for us to negotiate with the other funders about the shortfall we now have. HIE and CNES are working closely with the Cnoc Soilleir team to progress applications. It’s a very positive message from Scottish Government that they recognise the value of Uist as a resource for Gaelic learning and development.”